A SCHOOL near Launceston, committed to the provision of outdoor learning, has extended their forest school area thanks to a generous donation and input from parents.

Lifton Primary School, situated near Launceston, has had a focus on forest school learning for their pupils for some time now, with a belief it allows children to thrive within the natural environment while encouraging a new take on learning.

Head teacher, Melanie Cripps, who is now in her sixth year leading the school, has been keen to encourage outdoor learning within the school’s curriculum, having made further improvements to the existing forest school area at the bottom of the school grounds. Recently, the school received a generous sum of money from the Launceston Tesco’s Bags of Help scheme, which has allowed them to extend and improve the forest school for younger children, as well as adding a sturdy bridge and gate for access between the two outdoor areas.

The new extension, located just beyond the school’s foundation unit, is complete with a firepit and see-saw, sensory tyres, a mud kitchen, den and even a bug hotel!

Mrs Cripps said: “The help we have received from the Friends of Lifton School has enabled us to extend our forest school area so it joins up with our foundation unit.

“The parents from the Friends of Lifton School have really helped — some of the mums, dads and relatives came along and did the work for free.”

The work included the construction of a new solid bridge and gate, which provides access from the older forest school area to the new extension, walking over the stream that is connected to the school pond.

As you make your way across the bridge and enter the extended outdoor area, one thing that stands out is the sensory area, featuring car tyres filled with materials of different textures. Just beyond that is a firepit with seating, where children will be able to sit and toast marshmallows in the autumn, along with a rustic-looking see-saw, created with slabs of wood. There is also a mud kitchen, where children can let their imaginations run away with them, a den and even a bug hotel, encouraging even the creepiest of crawlies to settle in the garden.

“We wanted to extend the forest school so all the children could use it, and so we could have more than one class here at a time,” Mrs Cripps continued. “Bags of Help paid for all the materials we used to make this happen.”

The Post previously reported on the school’s improved pond, which has been used for pond dipping sessions and has given the children an insight into the different forms of wildlife that can be attracted to the natural surroundings.

“To me, this is what children should be doing because they love to be free in nature,” Mrs Cripps said. “We aim to become a centre of excellence in outdoor learning.”

Mrs Cripps added: “People have been doing the work for this project in their spare time and weekends. It’s just nice for the children to be able to learn about nature — it helps to improve behaviour and instills in them a love of learning and working together.

“Thank you to Tesco, the parents and the Friends of Lifton School, who have helped make such a wonderful difference to the children’s learning and to the school. We will use this all year round.”

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